One morning, three days later, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the window, casting a gentle glow over the room. Xu Shu sat at his wooden desk, engrossed in his book, fully immersed in the world woven by the lines of text.
Suddenly, a knock at the door broke the quiet. Hearing it, Li Xiurong hurried from the inner room to open the door. Standing there was the village head, Xu Feng, wearing a faint smile. Li Xiurong warmly welcomed him in, and Xu Shu set aside his book and stepped forward, pouring a steaming cup of water for their guest.
"Uncle Xu," he asked with a smile, "what brings you here today?"
Xu Feng took the water, sipped it, and spoke slowly. "Xiao Shu, do you remember those procurement officers from the Rolling Mill who came to our village a few days ago?"
Xu Shu nodded slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes. "I remember. Why do you ask?"
Xu Feng continued, "Their deputy team leader, Chen Jun, just came back. He says that with the New Year approaching, the Rolling Mill’s procurement needs have increased significantly, and they’d like to invite us to head into the mountains for another hunt."
Xu Shu fell into a brief moment of contemplation. The weather had turned quite cold, and a chill seeped through the mountain woods. Fortunately, the snow hadn't yet sealed the mountain passes, making a hunting trip feasible. At the same time, memories of the generous profit from the last trade flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but feel tempted.
"Uncle Xu, I don't have a problem with it, but I’m not sure how the others in the village feel," Xu Shu said, looking up at him.
Xu Feng smiled. "Oh, I’ve already asked everyone one by one, and they’re all willing. After all, everyone tasted the sweetness of selling to the Rolling Mill last time, and they’re all hoping to earn a bit more to make this New Year a little more comfortable."
"Alright then," Xu Shu replied readily. "If no one has any objections, let’s set off tomorrow."
Xu Feng nodded, then added, "No problem. However, Chen Jun wants to come along with us into the mountains. What do you think?"
Xu Shu thought it over. "That’s fine. Hunting isn't something you can learn just by watching."
Xu Feng nodded, satisfied. "Good. I’ll have him stay in the village tonight so he can join us tomorrow. You should prepare yourself well, too."
"Understood," Xu Shu answered.
After Xu Feng left, Li Xiurong approached her son, a look of worry on her face. "Xiao Shu, are you heading into the mountains again tomorrow?"
Xu Shu patted his mother’s hand to reassure her. "Mom, don't worry. You know what your son is capable of. Now that we have a steady buyer for our game, everyone wants to hunt a bit more so we can all have a good New Year."
Li Xiurong sighed helplessly. "Fine. You’re grown now, and you’ve always had a mind of your own since you were a child, so I won't say any more. Just make sure to stay safe in the mountains. I’ll go prepare the things you need for tomorrow."
Watching his mother’s busy figure, Xu Shu felt a warmth fill his heart.
The next morning, at the first sign of dawn, the group from Xu Village and Chen Jun finished their breakfast and set off into the mountains against the biting wind. Along the way, Chen Jun was exceptionally enthusiastic, actively trying to strike up a conversation with Xu Shu to bridge the distance between them. He asked about Xu Shu’s hunting experience and inquired about the village, his words full of eagerness.
Though Xu Shu wasn't entirely sure what Chen Jun’s true intentions were, he sensed it had something to do with him. So, once they reached the hunting grounds, Xu Shu told Chen Jun to follow behind him. Chen Jun, who had come specifically to evaluate Xu Shu’s true abilities, felt that staying right behind him would be the best way to observe him. Despite his trust in Xu Feng’s words, he still harbored a sliver of doubt about the sixteen-year-old boy. To him, hunting was no simple task, let alone being as skilled as Xu Feng had described.
However, once Xu Shu entered his hunting mode, Chen Jun was completely stunned. With a bow and arrow in hand, Xu Shu moved with agility, his eyes sharp and focused. For small game like rabbits and pheasants, his aim was near-perfect; every shot found its mark. One after another, the small creatures fell.
When it came to larger beasts like wild boars, Xu Shu displayed remarkable command. He directed the villagers with ease and precision. Under his guidance, the group moved in perfect coordination. Seeing an opening, Xu Shu lunged forward, his weapon piercing the boar with precision. After a fierce struggle, the boar was subdued.
This sight gave Chen Jun a whole new understanding of Xu Shu’s capabilities. He couldn't help but think that this boy was much like Xu Shu, the brilliant and talented strategist from the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, radiating an astonishing brilliance.
By afternoon, the setting sun bathed the forest in golden light. The group from Xu Village returned in triumph, carrying two wild boars weighing over a hundred pounds each, along with many rabbits and pheasants. Their faces were filled with the joy of a successful harvest, their steps light.
Walking with the group, Chen Jun had found his answer. He was impatient to report back to his leaders. After finalizing the purchase price with the villagers, he said his goodbyes to Xu Village. He was already mentally calculating the logistics for bringing a truck to pick up the haul the next day, and he hurried off, his figure quickly disappearing down the winding village road.
The villagers had already set aside enough supplies for the New Year, so this hunt was an unexpected windfall. Everyone agreed that since it was extra, they might as well sell it all to the Rolling Mill and split the profit, which would be easy and worry-free. Besides, in the freezing winter, there was no need to worry about the meat spoiling. So, everyone pitched in to gather the haul at the village office.
Li Xiurong stood by the door, waiting anxiously. Only when she saw Xu Shu return safe and sound did her heart settle. She stepped forward and brushed the twigs and leaves from his clothes with a mother's gentle concern, then took his hand and led him home.
Chen Jun hurried back to the Rolling Mill without pause. The moment he saw Wang Tianfu, he poured out everything he had seen and heard in Xu Village. He spoke with such fervor, thumping his chest and swearing that every word was true, that Wang Tianfu’s interest was thoroughly piqued. His eyes lit up, and without a moment’s hesitation, he went straight to Li Huaide to request a position in the Procurement Section.
It was well-known in the mill that a leader of Li Huaide’s rank held a few positions in reserve for emergencies. Furthermore, the Procurement Section wasn't as coveted as other departments; the pay was average, the room for advancement was limited, and the pressure was much higher than in the production departments, so it was perpetually understaffed.
When Li Huaide heard the news, he immediately thought of the high-quality items Chen Jun had brought back a few days prior. As a "foodie" who took great interest in culinary delights, the thought of being able to taste such delicious food regularly made him happy. Moreover, if there was someone capable of continuously bringing in such goods, it would not only satisfy his own appetite but also make the Procurement Section’s performance shine—a win-win situation. After all, as the person in charge of logistics at the Rolling Mill, the Procurement Section was under his direct management.
Without a moment of hesitation, Li Huaide agreed to Wang Tianfu’s request. Armed with the approval, Wang Tianfu and Chen Jun rushed to the Transportation Section and, after some negotiation and pestering, finally convinced them to help make the trip to Xu Village the next day.
The next morning, at the first light of dawn, the Rolling Mill was already bustling. As soon as the work whistle blew, Chen Jun departed with the transport truck. The vehicle rumbled along the rugged mountain road, the roar of the engine shattering the morning silence. Half an hour later, it pulled to a steady stop at the entrance of Xu Village.
The arrival of this massive machine caused a stir in the village. Young and old poured out of their homes, crowding around the truck with curiosity and wonder. For them, a truck was a rare sight; usually, they only saw them from afar on the highway, and this was their first time being this close to one.
Xu Shu was no exception. Even with the memories of two lifetimes, he couldn't hide his inner shock. He had never ridden in a car; he only knew how they worked from books. But knowledge on paper is shallow, and he had yet to experience it for himself. He stared wide-eyed with longing, looking for all the world like a child hoping to get his hands on a favorite toy.
Chen Jun, sensing Xu Shu’s excitement, whispered a few words to Xiao Wang, the driver, and discreetly slipped him a few cigarettes. Xiao Wang nodded with a smile, and Chen Jun turned to invite Xu Shu to sit in the cab.
The sudden surprise left Xu Shu momentarily stunned. He couldn't believe his eyes. Even with his past life’s memories, standing before the real thing, he felt nervous and didn't know where to look. He reached out cautiously, wanting to touch the steering wheel, but worried he might break it. After hesitating, he spent only a minute in the cab, gently touching the wheel before climbing out, his heart a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Meanwhile, Xu Feng was shouting to get everyone into action. The villagers quickly divided the work, classifying and weighing the game before loading it onto the truck. The scene was lively, and laughter echoed across the village.